T
he changing seasons do so much
to our lives, it’s impossible to not
see the impact on our interiors,
and anyone who keeps their Game Of
Thrones-inspired living room (furs and
all, à la Jon Snow) through a scorching
Australian summer has no idea. But while
it might be nice to drop a sack of cash
every few months to update your home’s
interiors, it’s not a wise investment.
So here’s my rundown on some fail-proof
colour palettes and how to make them
last longer than they should.make colour go further
It’s no secret that colour in a home can
date quicker than a MAFS contestant’s
social status, but there are a few tricks
to getting longevity from your favourite
tones. It’s all about how you use your
colour – too much and you will be sick
of it in no time; not enough and you’ll
barely notice it. Balance is everything.
Subtle pops of colour will date well,
especially if paired with complementary
tones (just remember that the more
something jumps out at you, the quicker
you will tire of looking at it). Go with
what you love but minimise your use
of colour and mix it up with tried-and-
tested neutrals. A soft grey can be the
lifeline most tones of colours need to last
through the seasons as the neutral greycan act as a buffer between your chosen
(subdued) tone and the starkness of white.
While Pantone’s Living Coral may be
touted as this year’s must-have, most of us
don’t have the guts to go all out with such
a bold tone. Here are a couple of safer
options with complementary finishes:
+ Dulux’s 2019 Wholeself palette offers
a relaxing inhale in the busyness of the
everyday. I love the muted natural tones,
and Pinkham is this year’s answer to the
millennial pink craze we all fell in love
with a few years ago. Best paired with
complementary tones, this subdued blush
tone works well with a stark white, a
warm wheat tone or Smartstone’s
Concreto Naturale.
+ Earthy tones, greens in particular, bring
a sense of ‘outside calm’ to our homes,
much like a crisp mountain vista. Porter’s
Paints’ range of greens runs the gamut,
from foresty Emerald to the softer tones of
Blackheath and Blade. Natural terracottas
and rich, warm timbers work well with
them, as well as striking steel and
matt-black features such as tapware.
+ Sage has been touted as a hot trend
for this year and next. With warm
undertones, this normally cool colour
is very versatile. It can be paired with
cotton whites, linen greys and even ebony
timber. Taubman’s Misty Lake works
perfectly with all of those, as well as brass.fail-proof
palettes
White is great but well-considered
colour brings character and
warmth to a home, says Shannon
The Block:
Glasshouse
co-winner and
interior architect
Shannon Vos;
voscreative.
com.auFROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Pinkham, Madame Mauve
and New Life, all by Dulux;
Taubmans Misty Lake;
Thrush by Haymes Paint;
and Phantom Grey by Wattyl.PHOTOGRAPHY: DEREK CROUCHER/ALAMY (BACKGROUND) AND MARTINA GEMMOLA (OPPOSITE). STYLING: RUTH WELSBY (OPPOSITE)INSIDE | RENOVATE
112 | INSIDE OUT